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Label:The summer of 1820 was a particularly hard one for Philadelphia. Yellow fever killed a significant number of the city's citizens, and subsequent efforts to improve sanitation included leveling many older buildings to make way for spacious new storefronts. Opened around this time at 27 South Third Street, Judd's Hotel was among the first establishments to open in the new buildings and did a good business. Wide sidewalks offered better air circulation and curbside posts and rails supported large awnings to shade pedestrians from the summer sun.